1. Welcome AIA Level 3 & 4 Umpires Classroom Training 6:30 PM – 8 PM
AZBOA SVO Baseball Officials Meeting
AZBOA SVO Baseball Officials Meeting

2. REMINDERS: On Field Clinic Thursday Feb 9th Brophy HS 7:30-9PM
Bring your mask, hat and an indicator.
Wear Athletic attire (Sweats, shorts etc.)
Meet on the Varsity Field in the 3rd Base Dugout.
*MUST BE AN AZBOA member for this event!

3. REMINDERS: On Field Clinic Sunday Feb 12th Brophy HS 2- 4:30PM
Bring your mask, hat and an indicator.
Wear Athletic attire (Sweats, shorts etc.)
Meet on the Varsity Field in the 3rd Base Dugout.
*MUST BE AN AZBOA member for this event!

4. Get Your Information here at azboa.org
Most of your questions can be answered by going to our website!

5. AZBOA Baseball Rules Meetings
Rule Six
Pitching
45 Minutes to Complete

6. Rule 6: Pitching
6-1-1: The pitcher must pitch from a “Windup” or “Set” position. Windup is usually with no runners & Set is with runners on base.
* Their feet will determine which position they are in (His non-pivot foot is key)
*The pitcher must adhere to pitching regulations once he INTENTIONALLY contacts the pitcher’s plate.

7. New Rules 2013 Points of Emphasis
Both feet can be touching OR Pivot touching and Non Pivot touching line extending…
New Rules 2013
Points of Emphasis
The Windup is one of two legal pitching positions. For the windup, the pitcher’s non-pivot foot shall be in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate.

8. Legal Pitching Positions
Legal as long as part of the pivot foot is touching part of the rubber
Legal Pitching Positions
New Rules 2013
Points of Emphasis
The Set is the other legal pitching position. For the set position, a pitcher’s entire non-pivot foot must be in front of a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate and the entire pivot foot must be Parallel, and in contact (all or partial) with the rubber.

9. Rule 6: Pitching
6-1-2: The Windup Position…Hands can be together in front, at his sides or one in front and one at his side. His non-pivot foot shall be in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate.
*Once he starts to pitch, he must continue without interruption. Otherwise a balk with runners on OR “Time” and reset with no runners on. He CANNOT pause (stop) anywhere in the delivery!
*Windup only allows for a pitch to be delivered OR stepping off backward with pivot foot first. (Cannot pick to a base without stepping of first). He may turn his head to check runners but not his shoulders.

10. *His pitching hand shall be at his side or behind his back.
Rule 6-1-3: Pitching; Set Position
*Prior to coming set, the pitcher can have the ball in either his glove or hand.
*His pitching hand shall be at his side or behind his back.
*Non pivot foot entirely in front of the line extending through the front edge of the pitching plate.
*His entire Pivot foot in contact or directly in front of pitching plate.

11. New Rules 2013 Points of Emphasis P R E L I M N A Y T C H
The pitcher may take signs with the ball in the glove or hand. The pitcher may have his pitching are at his back, side OR hanging down in front. Any movement NATURALLY associated with him starting to come set must be done so in ONE CONTINOUS MOTION.

12. New Rules 2013 Points of Emphasis C O M I N G T A S E
The pitcher, using a continuous motion, shall come SET with both hands in front of his body….AND after a discernible STOP may pitch the ball to the batter.
The pitcher may at any time (with or without stopping) step off legally or pick to a base.
Once coming set, any movement home, commits the pitcher to pitch the ball.

13. Rule 6-1-3: Set Position (con’t)
Once he has come set:
He may not make any movement other than stepping off backwards, picking to a base, or delivering a pitch to the batter. (Exception: Head movement)
He may not break his hands unless pitching or picking off. If he steps off backwards he must break his hands AFTER stepping off

14. 3) He may turn at the head to check runners.
Rule 6-1-3: Set Position (con’t)
Once he has come set:
3) He may turn at the head to check runners.
4) He may not flinch, stagger, start and stop or break his knee prior to pitching. (He can BREATHE!)
5) He may step toward and throw to first base (step only required for 2nd & 3rd base).

15. Crosses a foul line or reaches plate = BALL in all situations.
Rule 6: Pitching
6-1-4: If while in the Windup or Set positions, if the pitcher drops the ball DURING delivery and if the ball-
Crosses a foul line or reaches plate = BALL in all situations.
Does not cross a foul line or reach the plate = NO PITCH w/ no runners & BALK w/ runners on base.
*Umpire MECHANIC = when ball is dropped and stops rolling or is picked up = “That’s Nothing” OR Time & “That’s a balk”

16. Pitcher = throws ball out of play = 1 base award
Rule 6: Pitching
6-1-5: A Player is the pitcher when intentionally engaging the pitching plate. They cease to be the pitcher when he legally steps off the plate (now a fielder) for the purposes of fielding OR throwing.
Pitcher = throws ball out of play = 1 base award
Fielder = throws ball out of play = 2 base award
Pitcher = feints throw to 1st base = BALK
Fielder = feints throw to 1st base = NOTHING

17. Rule 6: Pitching
6-2-1: Infractions by the Pitcher and Illegal acts include:
Wearing any items that are distracting to the batter = Umpire has jurisdiction to decide what is distracting…
Wearing tape (or other material) on palm or fingers of pitching hand = Must fix before next pitch.
Wearing a glove with white or gray coloring = Must fix before next pitch.
Wearing exposed (below the elbow) under sleeves that are white/gray = Must fix before next pitch.

18. Illegal Set & Illegal Windup
New Rules 2013
Points of Emphasis
This hybrid position does NOT qualify, by rule for either the Windup or Set pitching positions. Umpires should be proactive in warning pitchers prior to allowing this position
Windup Position requires NON PIVOT foot to on or behind a line extending through the front edge of plate
The Set position requires the Pivot Foot to be parallel to the plate and the Non Pivot foot to in front of a line extending (as it is in this picture)

19. Extra Warm-up Throws Rule 6-2-2c Exception
New Rules 2013
RULE CHANGE
When replacing a pitcher who was ejected, the substitute pitcher should be afforded the same warm-up criteria as he would if replacing an injured pitcher. Extra throws may be authorized by the umpire-in-chief.

20. 6-2-4: Pitcher has BALKED if with runners on base:
Rule 6: Pitching (con’t)
6-2-4: Pitcher has BALKED if with runners on base:
While in contact with pitching plate:
feinting toward batter or first base.
dropping of the ball (provided it does not cross foul line).
failing to step with non-pivot directly toward a base prior to throwing or feinting.

21. 6-2-4: Pitcher has BALKED if with runners on base:
Rule 6: Pitching (con’t)
6-2-4: Pitcher has BALKED if with runners on base:
delivers an illegal pitch (quick pitch, no stop)
after committing to pitch, he does not do so in a continuous motion (stops)*
*Exception: Unless the batter’s actions cause the stop (hand up for time, stepping out etc) then we call time (essentially awarding batter time) and protecting pitcher from balking.
Taking either hand off the ball (set position) unless pitching to batter or picking to base. From the windup he may “momentarily adjust the ball”

22. When is the pitcher considered to be infielder and NOT the pitcher?
Question:
When is the pitcher considered to be infielder and NOT the pitcher?
Answer: He is the pitcher when intentionally engaged with the rubber. He is an infielder either after LEGALLY disengaging the pitching rubber.
Rule 6: Pitching

23. Question:
What is the difference in requirements, for the Pitcher, when picking to 1st base compared to picking to 2nd or 3rd base?
Answer: When picking to 1st base the pitcher must STEP and THROW to 1st base versus only required to STEP to 2nd or 3rd base. The pitcher does not have to throw 2nd & 3rd.
How many bases does runners advance when the Pitcher throws the ball out of play?
Answer: 1 base from TOP.
Rule 6: Pitching ,

24. ON YOUR FEET! Umpire Mechanics Out – “He’s Out” (Knock on the Door)
Hands on Knees set, Call it, Hands on Knees set:
Out – “He’s Out” (Knock on the Door)
Routine vs. Whacker
Safe – “Safe” (Arms straight out, shoulder high)
*Off the bag / Bobble the Ball / No Tag /
Balls on the ground
AZBOA Strike Zone

25. Go to AZBOA.org and the Videos page.
AZBOA Strike Zone Presentation
Go to AZBOA.org and the Videos page.
AZBOA Strike Zone

26. Watch AZBOA Strike Zone Video
Batter’s Strike Zone Rule 2.35
AZBOA Strike Zone

27. Strike Zone by Rule
Halfway between the shoulders and waistline or about 2 1/2 baseballs above the belt….
the hollow of the knee…..
AZBOA Strike Zone

28. We must get at least….
One ball above the belt
AZBOA Strike Zone

29. Work to call the “high” strike
Two Balls above the belt (midway point)
the hollow of the knee…..
AZBOA Strike Zone

30. Belt One Ball above Two Balls above
The bottom or hollow of the knee ALWAYS!
AZBOA Strike Zone

31. By Book Rule- a strike is the area over home plate (inside black to black)
AZBOA Strike Zone

32. We are going to call a strike
*Please understand this is a GUIDE…not an end all be all concept.
Two balls off each side of the plate, provided the catcher receives the pitch properly. If he is reaching out or down to get a “borderline” strike then we should ball the pitch. A catcher will “earn” borderline strikes or “lose” border line strikes
AZBOA Strike Zone

33. Strike Zone…. establish your zone early in the game be consistent
work with catcher to “earn” borderline strikes
maintain the same zone late in the game
keep the game moving (call strikes)
AZBOA Strike Zone

34. Strike Zone
Questions…
AZBOA Strike Zone

35. Umpire Mechanics Review A, B, & C positions
2 Man Mechanics
AZBOA Strike Zone

36. “A” Position is with NO RUNNERS ON BASE
Starting Position A U1
“A” Position is with NO RUNNERS ON BASE

37. Starting Position B U1 R1
“B” Position is with R1

38. “B” Position is with R1 & R3
Starting Position B U1 R1 R3
“B” Position is with R1 & R3

39. “C” Position is with Bases Loaded
Starting Position C R2 U1 R1 R3
“C” Position is with Bases Loaded

40. “C” Position is with R3 & R2
Starting Position C R2 U1 R3
“C” Position is with R3 & R2

41. “C” Position is with R3 only
Starting Position C U1 R3
“C” Position is with R3 only

42. “C” Position is with R2 only
Starting Position C R2 U1
“C” Position is with R2 only

43. Questions about Umpire Starting Positions?
If time left show Runners Lane video on AZBOA
AZBOA SVO Baseball Officials Meeting

44. REMINDERS: Classroom Meetings
Varsity Area Meetings (Level 1, 2 & 5)
Moon Valley HS Conference Area (Center of Campus)
Feb 1, 6, 8, 13, 15 6PM – 7:30PM (Steve Huddleson)
Extra Innings Recreation Center (Val Vista / Southern)
Feb 2, 7, 9, 13, 16 / 6:30 – 8PM (Jake Gustafson)
**Feb 15 (Moon Valley) & Feb 16 (Extra Innings) will be TEST Review!
Sub Varsity Meetings (Level 3 & 4 MUST ATTEND THESE)
AIA Conference Room
Feb 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 22/ 6:30 -8 PM
(Rob McKinley or Mark Warner)